Huge haul of 'paan' in Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah: Police on Saturday seized one tonne of illegal 'paan' in what is believed to be the biggest quantity of this illegal substance ever recovered in the emirate's history.

The RAK Police took the seized stimulant to the municipality office to take necessary legal measures against the culprits and conduct more intensive investigations.

The entire haul was in the process of being sold in the emirate's local markets.

Adel Al Deek, Head, Environmental and Public Health Section, RAK Municipality, said the stimulant was seized from a truck originally used to transport and distribute food. He said the vehicle belongs to a company with official distribution licenses.

He added that two drivers were arrested along with the paan. The stimulant is banned in the country and can cause cancer.

He explained that the paan was stored in the vehicle in 84 cartons, each of which had 50 packages.

The Paan smugglers handled the substance this time as if it was completely legal to trade. RAK Municipality has imposed a Dh20,000 fine on the company and ordered them to sign official pledges never to repeat the violation.

What is it: Flavoured betel nut

'Paan' is processed betel nut flavoured with tobacco and other herbal stimulant and widely used by people from the Indian subcontinent.